• Wallis-Steevens:
Page 71
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Rubber-tyred. . Steam Tractor.
,STAND No. 103.
Steam-goods.
Load. Platform Space. Tyree Price. *Tractor .Rubber * — Example exhibited at Olympia. Wallis and Steevens, Ltd., Basingstoke.
THERE IS ONE section of the Show the popularity of which has never waned, We refer to that containing the steam tractors. Indeed there is every sign of this section of the industry receiving a fillip, and it is more than pcssible that an early show will have to take more account of the traction engine than has hitherto
been considered necessary. However, this is not the time for a discussion of possibilities. The exhibit on Stand No. 103 gives rise to reflections of this kind, however, occupied, us it, is, by the Walls and Steevens steam tractor.
The principal novelty, if not the only one, about this exhibit is the fitting of rubber tyres. The tractor itself is a well-known one, and has not been altered materially for quite a long time. It is of the usual locomotive type, with overtype engine, three-shaft gear, and locomotive type boiler. There are one or two minor improvements in the design, and to these we referred at sonic length in our recent description of the chassis in the issue of the 21st ult., wherein also we referred to the main points of interest on the chastsis.
Its distinguishing feature is undoubtedly its engine, and, in particular, the method of lubricating that unit. Instead of, as is the customary practice, fitting each bearing with syphon or imi. Jar lubricator, all the moving parts of this engine are lubricated on the splash principle. The whole: of the crankcase is enclosed,-the slide bars and crossheads being also covered by the same casing, which, however, its separated from the cylinders by a space of about 6 ins., enough to allow of access to the glands of the cylinders and to prevent leakage
of water into the oil within the case. Sliding covers on the top of the casing allow of ease of inspection of the engine, and we are told that the lubricant needs renewing only at intervals of a month or more, according to the amount, of use which the wagon receives. It is important to note that this construction also saves the engine'fitom wet and dust when travelling. One of the neatest little fittings on the tractor is the fly-ball governor; this is, of course, only required when the tractor is employed fort driving stationary machines by belt, whem the necessity for keeping the speed steady is obvious. The governor is belt,-driven„ the other end of the pulley shaft carrying a small bevel wheel, which meshes with a right-angle bevel wheel on the vertical shaft carrying the fly-balls. The latter are fastened to the centre of flat steel springs, and as they fly out they pull up a collar which ie fastened to the rod operating the steam throttle. A neat, worm and wheel adjustment is provided for setting the speed at which the governor cuts out. The change-speed gear is at the side of the engine; two speeds are provided, and out steel gears are used throughout this mechanism.